Don Campbell

Senior Strategy Advisor
Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP

Don Campbell

Don Campbell

vCard

Biography

Don Campbell is a Senior Strategy Advisor at Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP.

Prior to joining the private sector in 2000, Don had a distinguished career with Canada's Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade. He served as deputy minister of foreign affairs from 1997 to 2000, the personal representative of the prime minster for G8 Summits from 1997 to 2000, Ambassador to Japan from 1993 to 1997, Deputy Minister of International Trade from 1989 to 1993, Assistant Deputy Minister for the United States from 1985 to 1989 and Ambassador to Korea from 1984 to 1985. Earlier postings included the USA, UK, Kenya and Jamaica. 

Don entered the private sector as Group President, CAE Inc. from 2000 to 2007. His responsibilities included being in charge of world-wide defence contracts and P3 deals and management of CAE's operations in the USA, UK, Germany and Australia.

Don has a deep and continuing involvement with issues of the Asia Pacific region. He currently is on the board of directors of Toyota Canada Inc. Don has been the international co-chair of the Pacific Economic Cooperation Council advising APEC governments (2012-2021) and continues as chair of The Canadian National Committee. He has served on the Council of the Japan-led Science and Technology in Society Forum held annually in Kyoto. He was appointed by the prime minister as the Canadian chair of the Canada-Japan Forum, an advisory group entrusted by the governments of Japan and Canada to promote the bilateral relationship between the two countries.

Don has extensive experience in negotiation on Canada-USA political, trade and economic issues. As Deputy Minister of International Trade, he supervised the negotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement that came into effect in 1994. He has been a chief negotiator for softwood lumber disputes and maintains an ongoing interest in trans-border issues and opportunities.

Don is a frequent writer and commentator on Canadian media on a wide range of international, political and economic topics.

Don previously worked as senior strategy advisor with another major international law firm from 2007 to 2022.


Professional experience

Expand all Collapse all
  • Japan Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Stars, 2015
  • Outstanding Achievement Award of the Public Service of Canada from the Governor General and the Prime Minister, 2000
  • Rotman School of Business ICD.D 2006
  • Honorary doctorate degrees:
    • LLD, University of Ottawa 1999
    • LLD, Laurier University 2002
    • LLD, Carleton University 2003
  • Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal, 2012
  • Business in Vancouver BC's top 500 Influential Business Leaders ranking, 2021 and 2022
  • Board of directors – Toyota Canada Inc., 2002 - present
  • Chair, board of directors – VIDA Therapeutics Inc., 2012 - present
  • Board of directors – Paladin AI, 2018 - present
  • Strategy advisor to the Board of Canadian National Railway, 2020 - 2021
  • Advisory board, Jack Austin Centre, Beedie School of Business, Simon Fraser University, 2010 - present
  • Advisory board, Jack Lawrence Centre, Ivey Business School, Western University, 2010 - present
  • Member, Leadership Council, Perimeter Institute, 2018 - present
  • Chairman, Canada-Japan Society of British Columbia, 2020 - present
  • Distinguished fellow, Asia Pacific Foundation, 2008 - present
  • Board member, Canada-Japan Society, Toronto, 2010 - present
  • Board of directors, Perimeter Institute, 2003 - 2012, Director Emeritus
  • Council Member, Science & Technology in Society Forum Japan, 2005 - 2020
  • Board of directors, Canfor Pulp, 2007 - 2014
  • Chairman Aerospace Industry Association of Canada, 2005 - 2007
  • Board of directors, Export Development Corporation, 1990 - 1994
  • Board of trustees, National Film Board, 1989 - 1994
  • Former member of advisory boards of Rotman Business School, University of Toronto, Norman Patterson School, Carleton University, Schulich School of Business, York University
  • Member, Council of Advisors in the Asia Society, New York, 2010 - 2018